KINGSVILLE (Dec 16, 2025) — When Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville was announced at Fall Commencement, it marked the end of a shared four-year journey for Nigeria’s mother and daughter duo of Esther and Regina Olagunju.
Esther earned her PhD in Environmental Engineering, while Regina received her Bachelors in Industrial Management and Applied Engineering — a feat made all the more special by having one another to lean on in the good times and bad.
“It’s not every day you attend college with your mom,” Regina said. “So just being able to be in the same space with her while facing the same kind of challenges with exams, tests and midterms that come up and being able to lean on each other with the studying and keeping each other accountable and on top of tasks was really such a special moment for me. I do cherish these four years here with my mom.”
Esther, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Pure and Applied Chemistry from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, a masters in Analytical Chemistry from Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria, spent nearly 20 years teaching chemistry before coming to the United States in January of 2021 in pursuit of her PhD and to work side by side with Dr. Lucy Camacho on a research project titled Collaborative Research: Dry-Wet Phase Inversion Pathway of Graphene Oxide (GO)-Based Mixed-Matrix Membranes for Mineral Ions Separation by Membrane Distillation and funded by an $300,000 NSF grant.
The move proved to be a lot as Esther needed to acclimate herself to a new city and social culture all while getting used to being a student again.
Getting to know new peers, handling research and the ups and downs of Esther’s PhD pursuit were overwhelming, but with Regina eventually joining her in late 2021 to begin her undergrad, everything changed for the better.
“Having her here was one of my major strengths,” Esther said of Regina. “Because I had some crisis along the way, shifting from one professor to another. Then, I was making up my mind about leaving here without my degree. But having here I began to think that if I’m strong for myself, I have to be strong for her. We had a bond overtime.”
That bond proved to be what would keep them going on their pursuit of higher education as the bond served as motivation and reinforcement of their relationship as mother and daughter.
Regina took comfort in having her mother there for comfort and as a resource of knowledge.
“Outside of the classroom, my mom is my friend,’ Regina said. “Just being able to speak with her and ask her questions at random times (is a benefit.) Prior to being here, she was a chemistry professor in Nigeria, so when I took chemistry classes I was able to ask her (for help). So, having her to put me through really helps me and really shapes me into who I am today. We also are able to catch up on Fridays after classes from Monday through Thursday and enjoy the weekend together.”
It’s time that Esther appreciates and makes her best effort to take advantage of after her career as an educator and college administrator in Nigeria made it difficult for her to always attend Regina’s school events and programs.
“I am just grateful to God for this opportunity at a second chance to mending our relationship and leaning on each other,” Esther said. “If (Regina) is not here, maybe I would have gone back to Nigeria without a degree, because it gets tough along the way. I thank God for this bonding time and it will be something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Despite the ups and downs, the duo found their way and began to thrive at TAMUK.
Regina began her journey pursuing a degree in nutrition to be a dietician, but eventually found that she wanted to be more hands on in the field and as a manufacturer and found her niche in Industrial Management and Applied Engineering while minoring in Business and Construction management.
Regina served as Vice President of TAMUK’s National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE – TAMUK), a student ambassador for the university’s honors college and a tutor for the writing center. She is also a merit member of the National Society of Leadership & Success (NSLS – TAMUK), Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and the Association of Technology, Management & Applied Engineering (ATMAE – TAMUK).
While Regina was hesitant at first with so much change in her life, she found the university community to be helpful.
“It was the people and the community here in Kingsville,” she said. “Just being able to reach out to professors, get information on time and just being able to walk to someone’s office and ask questions and getting the right answers to your questions helps. It’s just the environment in general. Kingsville is very community oriented. So, wherever you go and whatever group you find, you’re always going to find your space and your community.”
Esther, in addition to working as a research student on an NSF-funded project, has presented research at the TAMUK Graduate School Research and Innovation Day and during the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AiChE) conference in San Diego.
She also was involved with the Comprehensive Review (Publication No. SFR-131/24) for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). She served as a peer mentor, a graduate teaching assistant and as a member of the NSBE and the Association of Doctoral Students in Environmental Engineering.
While this was the first time Esther walked the same stage with a loved one, it wasn’t the first time she has been on the path to a degree with family as she graduated with her bachelors at the same time as her father.
She also said the memory will be special as she got to see her daughter grow up along the way and mature as a person.
“For me, this is history repeating itself, because I finished my bachelors with my dad, although it was different universities, but we finished the same year,” Esther said. “He had to go back to school for his own bachelors, but this is history repeating itself. I am so glad and so proud. I’m a proud mother because she has really grown. She learned how to guard her heart and set boundaries for herself. I am really proud of her that she’s walking the stage with me. I don’t know how I’ll wake up that day without crying. This is double blessing in our family and we are really grateful for it.”
Esther and Regina wanted to acknowledge and show appreciation for all who have impacted them:
Dr. Matthew and Kathleen Alexander
Dr. Sajid Lui
Dr. Simona Hodis
Leandro and Belinda Ortegon and Esther’s dissertation committee.
Dean of the College of Engineering Dr. Heidi Taboada
Dr. Delia Valles-Rosales
Dr. David Ramirez
Dr. Jody Marin
Dr. Monirul Islam
The entire Industrial Management and technology department and the College of Engineering for their unwavering support, mentorship, and encouragement over the years
The St. Gertrude Catholic Church family, especially Fr. Bob, Norma Boone, the Choir and Altar Society, for their love, support, warmth, and prayers.
Friends and colleagues who have supported us along the way:
The Nnadis, Oluwadamilola, Oreoluwa, Tosin, Pamela, Beatrice, Elisa, Busola, Samad, Soma, Para, Matthew Ajakaiye and Tobi Oyeniyi for the constant encouragement throughout this journey.
The Tetfund Nigeria (Financial sponsorship) and Osun State Polytechnic community have been instrumental in laying the foundation for our academic growth.
To our R.M. Olagunju Clan, thank you for your never-ending calls, prayers, and the outpouring of love and support. Your sacrifices, guidance, and steady presence gave us the strength to keep going. We carry your love with us in every achievement.
